ABRI committed to fundamental reform

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) announced yesterday it is committed to reform, calling it "the answer" to all crises affecting the country.

ABRI Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said fundamental reform should be the agenda of the new government, which is now striving to restore the country's economy and to regain the confidence of the general public.

"ABRI feels that fundamental reform is the answer to all crises which have hit the country," he told reporters at the Armed Forces' Cilangkap headquarters in East Jakarta.

"ABRI is aware of the fundamental weakness and ... violations of procedures involving all sectors and elements in society," he said.

He said reform would only succeed with strong backing from the government. "Otherwise, 'reform' will simply become a word with no meaning," Susilo said.

He added that a program of reforms would need a careful and thorough plan of action. What sort of reforms are required by the nation must be definitely spelt out, he added.

"The most important prerequisite to reform is ... efficient and capable national leadership. I'd like to stress (the importance) of state leadership because it is of paramount importance to the campaign for reform," he said.

Speaking about the promised political reform, Susilo said political organizations could not be established overnight.

"We need to learn from history (about the difficulties) when the nation had many political parties contesting general elections and participating in the cabinet and parliament," he said.

In 1973, the number of legal political organizations were reduced to three -- Golkar, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

He also urged caution in answering demands for a review of the five political laws, arguing that a national consensus was needed before the country could restructure its political system or limit its presidential term.

There have been increasing demands for revisions to the Law on Mass Organizations, the Law on the Position and the Structure of the Parliament (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the Law on Political Parties and Functional Group (Golkar), the Law on Referenda, and the Law on General Elections.

On the economic crisis affecting the country, Susilo suggested that the campaign for reform should be waged without threatening political stability.

He said that efforts to bring normality to the state's economic and political affairs should be followed with efforts to regain the confidence of the general public.

"How can the government take necessary measures to end the crisis and comply with demands for reform without the people's trust?" he asked.

He said all elements in society should actively help the poor, who have been the worst affected by the economic crisis.

"We are in a very difficult economic condition with increasing unemployment and many people are very badly affected by the crisis.

"All of us should, therefore, help those with low incomes to meet their basic needs," he said.

Reconciliation

In a related development, Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto briefed 10,000 low, middle and high-ranking soldiers from the Jakarta garrison at Istora Senayan sports stadium in Central Jakarta last night.

In his address, Wiranto called on soldiers to reestablish good relations with students and persuade them to join in the development program.

Wiranto cited a gulf between students' and the Armed Forces' visions of reform and how it should be brought about.

"Let's enter the campus and apologize to all of the students for all that has happened to their friends. Let them know that we share their views about reform.

"Let's involve them in discussions on the concept of reform," he said.

Present at the briefing were Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, Navy Chief Admiral Arief Kushariadi, Air Force Chief Marshal Sutria Tubagus, and National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo.

Also present were Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar, Commander of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Maj. Gen. Djamari Chaniago, Jakarta garrison commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata.

In a 60-minute speech, Wiranto also told the soldiers not to be disconcerted by rumors aimed at ruining the unity of the Armed Forces.

"Be careful of rumors. Certain parties spread them just for fun, but others were really aimed at splitting ABRI unity," he said.

He cited rumors over the sudden replacement of the Commanders of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) and Kostrad.

"ABRI is cohesive, not divided. We have one commitment. All of us believe in the same Sapta Marga (Soldier's Oath)," he said. (imn/ivy)